Aftermarket supplier competes down under

It's not every day that an aftermarket supplier gets invited to compete in a “build off” competition — and it's even rarer if the competition is overseas. But that's exactly what happed to Jhan Dolphin, vp of RealWheels Accessories, and two of his employees who were invited this year to take part in a live build off at Australia's huge Queensland Truck & Machinery show.

“The challenge was to add a large list of aftermarket parts and accessories to a Western Star 4900 tractor, completely transforming it into an awesome, custom rig in less than three hours,” Dolphin related to our intrepid reporter. “All while being filmed live. Then the transformed and appropriately named ‘Sunrise Express’ truck would be put on display at the big truck show later that week.”

Held in Brisbane, the show is one of the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Dolphin said he and his crew installed and added everything from huge exhaust stacks, custom bumpers, LED lights, stainless steel trim and body panels - all under the hot Australian sun and the glare of TV cameras. But they loved every minute of it. “We had a great time, met some great people - even Australia's Transportation Minister, Rachel Nola,” he said. “We look forward to another visit ‘Down-Unda’ soon!”